The Sad Tale of the NFC Least

The NFC East has for years been known as possibly the toughest division in all of Pro Football. The race for first has been tighter in this Division than any other for much of NFL History. Even when the Cowboys enjoyed their glory days, they still had tough games against division rivals like the Redskins, Eagles, and Giants. There were games here and there that were blowouts, but for the most part, they were highly competitive.


Washington Redskins:
These days, that narrative has changed. Lately, each of these teams has a blemish that is so large that no one can have complete bragging rights. The Redskins have been going through a Roller Coaster with QB Robert Griffin III.

From the Offensive Line to his own ego, the Skins have been going through torture. Now, Griffin has become RG 3rd String as Kirk Cousins has been named the Starter. The Skins got off to a rough start because of the O-Line. That shows that Griffin was not the only issue. The line along with the Defense have been the obvious holes in that system.

Washington recently defeated the St. Louis Rams, moving them to 1-1.


New York Giants:
The New York Giants have gone 0-2. The Season started with a heartbreaking loss to the Dallas Cowboys after collapsing in the second half. What made it even worse was that the Cowboys were out of timeouts. The Giants gave them extra time on the clock to mount the comeback.

The following week, the Giants fall to the Falcons with the lethal WR Combination of Julio Jones and Roddy White.

Philadelphia Eagles:
The Philadelphia Eagles lost a very close game to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football at the Georgia Dome. Sam Bradford created a comeback for the Eagles, but it was not enough. His flaws in the Spread Offense have been exposed like RG 3rd String. To make matters worse, the Eagles get crushed by a shorthanded Cowboys team.


Dallas Cowboys:
This leads me to the team that is falling apart piece by piece, even though they are the Division Leaders: The Dallas Cowboys.

The Armor started to take hits in Week 1 with the loss of Dez Bryant with an ankle injury. Dez left the game and had surgery afterward. The time for his recovery went from 4-6 weeks to what is now 10-12 weeks. With the loss of Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory and others, the warning light continues to flash in Dallas. However, Dallas managed to fight through the loss by defeating the Giants in the Season Opener at Home.

In Week 2, things go from bad to even worse when Tony Romo suffers a broken clavicle. Backup QB Brandon Weeden stepped in as a Game Manager. Our Defense and Running Game carried the weight for that game, and it seems that they need to continue doing that moving forward.

Even though Dallas is 2-0, they are a wounded 2-0. This shows that everyone in this Division is broken.

Night Of Champions Review

Last night, WWE held their annual Night Of Champions PPV at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Every championship was on the line. The show had its share of historic moments along with its share of bizarre moments as well as returns. This was the very first time that Sting ever competed for the WWE Championship, as he was a mainstay around the WCW World Title.

Here are the matches that took place:

Neville & The Lucha Dragons vs Cosmic Wasteland
Winners: Cosmic Wasteland

This was the only Pre-Show match that was advertised for the show. Fairly decent opener to kick things off as Stardust picks up the win for his team with his finisher "Queen's Crossbow". Maybe he still has a score to settle with Stephen Amell (Arrow). I am guessing that this is why he gives his move that name. Neville and the Lucha Dragons got their high spots and excitement in during the match, but the Ascension get the "W" thanks to their leader Stardust. This was my prediction and I was on point.

Kevin Owens vs Ryback (Intercontinental Title Match)
Winner: Kevin Owens

The first title match of the night is for the IC Title as Ryback defends against Kevin Owens. It felt as though Ryback was not going very far as IC Champion. He has not been someone that I can look at fondly in the history of that Title. Instead of doubling down and keeping him as Champion, WWE decides to change the guard by having Owens win the title. I am not like those fans that accuse Owens of getting buried by Cena because I already knew that he could not get much higher than that. However, this feud with Ryback has not done many favors for him. Kevin had enough momentum going into this match to become the champion.

Certainly, it was one of Ryback's better matches, which is not saying much. Owens was the ring general for this match. Ryback relied more on his power and brute strength, as Kevin worked more technically by wearing down the arm. This created a more diverse element so that it would not be just a power vs power match. Owens found a way to escape from both of Ryback's Shellshock finishers. When Ryback went for the second Shellshock, Kevin raked the eyes and rolled him up for the win. I am not holding my breath, but I am hoping Kevin brings a certain level of value to that belt. It has gone through its share of an identity crisis. I was right on another prediction: 2-0.

During the break, it was announced that Brock Lesnar would fight the Undertaker inside of Hell In A Cell.

Dolph Ziggler vs Rusev
Winner: Dolph Ziggler

I did not care about this match, so I did not care to make a prediction. This has to win the award for Worst Storyline of the Year. The only good thing about this match was that there was a winner. The downside is how ridiculous the overall story is. It was already from the start with Lana joining Ziggler's side as Summer Rae was sadly dragged into the equation. Now, Lana has been sidelined from an injury that came from her training. Now Ziggler is playing weird games with Summer and it has just gone from stupid to terrible.

This definitely deserves a Razzie for how horrible it is. Dolph tapped into his inner Rick Rude with his ring attire last night. A very poor version of Ravishing Rick, I might add. The only highlight of the match was Summer Rae throwing her heel into the ring as she distracted Rusev so that Dolph could pick up the win. I can't talk about this anymore. Moving on.

New Day vs. The Dudley Boyz (WWE Tag Team Title Match)

Winners: Dudley Boyz (By DQ)

I think WWE was caught between a rock and a hard place. On one side, many people including myself wanted to see the Dudleyz make history by winning their 10th WWE Tag Team Titles. They were featured in the montage before the match about the history of the Tag Titles. 

On the other hand, the New Day is the Most Popular Tag Team in the current state of a division that has seen better days. With the USO's out of action, New Day is all WWE has to really build on. With that said, people did not want to see them lose the titles. 

New Day took center stage with their typical antics as Xavier Woods played the trombone with his Rufio from Hook hairstyle. Woods played the Rocky theme with his trombone too. Overall, it was a very good tag team match, as it was a clash between a comedy team and a team of legends that play no games. Xavier played the trombone through much of the match and even broke up a Dudleyz pin following a 3D. 

New Day turned the tables (pun intended) when they ripped a page from the Dudley Boyz book by calling for the tables. The plan backfired as Woods went to Dudleyville as Bubba and D-Von gave him the 3D through the table. 

This storyline naturally elevates the New Day in a way that they would have never been elevated. It says something about them because WWE clearly sees them as a team worthy of the Dudley's attention. The Dudley Boyz must see something special in them as well. 

I predicted the Dudleyz to win, but not this way. 

Nikki Bella vs Charlotte (WWE Divas Championship)

Winner: Charlotte

Next to the Double Main Event (Rollins vs Cena/Rollins vs Sting) I was looking forward to this match because I could not wait to see Nikki Bellas title reign come to a crashing end. It would have been nice to see Charlotte win the gold on Monday Night Raw, but I also understood the reason why she did not win that night. It was all for the purpose of the bigger picture, which was Night Of Champions. I am a student of Wrestling Booking 101. This Divas Revolution was ultimately about taking Nikki out of the picture by having her lose the belt. 

On RAW, Stephanie McMahon made it clear that no shenanigans from Team Bella were allowed. So the writing was on the wall. In the midst of the rumors flying around that Charlotte was supposed to win the belt sooner, I still figured that Nikki would hold it long enough to break AJ Lee's Record. WWE stuck to that plan, and it paid off with Charlotte dethroning Nikki Cena. 

In the opening montage for this title, they showed women like Fabulous Moolah, Trish Stratus, and others. It made you think about how far the Women's Division has fallen from the days where those legendary females ruled the ring. 

This was a match where Charlotte was the underdog with little offense. The story that she told was that she would build a comeback after twisting her ankle. Nikki worked on the leg through much of the match until the door was open for her to get distracted. The match was not really Charlotte's best because we know that she could run circles around Nikki in the ring with her eyes closed. 

In the end, Charlotte finished her off with the Spear and Figure Eight Leg Lock. Now, we can finally move on. 

The Shield w/Mystery Partner (Chris Jericho) vs Wyatt Family (w/Braun Strowman)

Winners: Wyatt Family

We move on to the next match. The Brothers Shield has been in desperate need of a new partner. There have been several names thrown out as potential choices. From The Rock, Randy Orton, Cesaro and even Erick Rowan. 

Even Edge gave a clue about Cesaro being the mystery partner on Twitter. For a week after week, The Wyatts have destroyed Reigns and Ambrose with the new Black Sheep Braun Strowman. No matter what they have tried, Roman and Dean have failed each time. 

The mystery partner was finally revealed to be none other than Chris Jericho!! A spoiler revealed that he was going to be at Night Of Champions, but it never revealed what role he was going to play. Jericho is all about mysteries and surprises. 

After all, he is one of the greatest trolls in wrestling history. I joked about Chris Jericho being the mystery partner. I just happened to be right in a non-intentional way. Ambrose, Reigns, and Jericho put up a good fight, but the Wyatts were too physically imposing for them as Braun caused Y2J to submit. After the match, Jericho bumped Dean and Roman on purpose. This could plant the seeds for a Jericho heel turn. 

Seth Rollins vs. John Cena (US Championship Match)

Winner: John Cena

Here is the first part of the Double Main Event. Seth Rollins finds himself defending both of his titles against two of the all-time greats in the history of wrestling. Cena invoked his rematch clause for the US Title after Rollins defeated him at Summerslam thanks to Jon Stewart. 

In the opening montage, they show the previous United States Champions from Harley Race, to hometown legend Booker T, to another Texas legend Eddie Guerrero. During the match, the Eddie chants were heavy. 

Seth was the first wrestler to hold both the US and WWE/WHC at the same time. Rollins and Cena tore the house down again at Night Of Champions just as they did at Summerslam. John shows once again how he rises to the occasion on the Big Stage and Seth proves himself even more as to why he is the best In-Ring Performer of the Current WWE Roster. 

This was another spectacular match in both of their libraries. In the end, Cena regains the US Title making him a 5-time US Champion. 

Seth Rollins vs. Sting (WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match)

Winner: Seth Rollins

Seth goes into the second half of his Double Duty when he defends the title against Sting. Before the match, Seth tries to escape with the US Title. John Cena meets him at the ramp to give him the Attitude Adjustment. Rollins goes back into the ring before Sting's music finally hits. 

This night was rather historic for Sting since this is his first match for the WWE Title. WWE presented Sting with a title shot as a token of appreciation for his lifetime work. This could have been a tribute for his years of service as a legend in another promotion. Then again, it was Sting's choice to stick in TNA for so long. Nobody forced him to stay there. 

WWE has promoted Sting as the Icon. However, his debut did not come off on a high note. At WrestleMania 31, the WCW Franchise lost to Triple H making him 0-1 in WWE. People have been critical of Sting receiving a title shot after losing his first match. Sting gave Rollins all that he had, and Seth proved himself to a legend of wrestling as well as to the fans. Rollins brought nothing less than his A game against Sting. 

Going into this show, I predicted that the match with Cena would be a better quality match and I was right. This match was not bad because Sting did what he could at his age (56). On the other hand, Sting did take some heavy risks for a man in his mid 50's. Sting took a serious fall through the announce table. He locked in the Scorpion Deathlock before Seth broke free from the hold.

Rollins Powerbombed Sting into the corner. Sting suffered severe injuries but kept fighting before Seth finished off the match to retain his WWE Title. 

Following the match, Sheamus ran into cash in his MITB Briefcase before Kane returned. The Big Red Monster Chokeslammed both Rollins and Sheamus. Kane finished off Seth with a Tombstone Piledriver. This was a mirror image of what the Undertaker did to Brock Lesnar at BattleGround. 

Overall, I give this Show a 7/10. As far as a Belt Rating, I give it 3 out of 5 United States Title Belts. 

Pro Football HOF 2016 Nominees

This week, I am happy to announce the nominees for the 2016 Class of the Pro Football HOF. What makes me happier is that my predictions for the headliners have been on point. Here is the list:

Brett Favre:

Without question, Brett Favre would be the headliner in his first year of eligibility. Even though he has threatened to make comebacks numerous times, Favre has reached the grace period to be eligible for induction. His resume has "First-Ballot" written all over it. Brett is the ultimate marquee name anytime his name is mentioned in the Hall of Fame discussion.

Terrell Owens:

Favre's Co-Headliner is Wide Receiver Terrell Owens. T.O. has edged out Marvin Harrison for a place on the ballot as a nominee. Owens ranks second all-time in receiving yards and sixth in receptions. However, he has a history of off the field antics that have rubbed many reporters, writers, teammates and coaches the wrong way.

Here is the perspective of USA Today Columnist and HOF voter Jarrett Bell:

"I think that's a consideration, but I don't think it really is going to be easy to define. Because the bylaws state that you are supposed to only consider what happens between the lines, what happens on the field...but you can also make the argument if there are things that happened off the field that affected things that happened on the field, then it enters the equation. I don't think it's going to be the dominant issue with (Owens), but it is the most controversial part."

Even though Terrell Owens does not have a criminal record off the field, you can make the case that his toxic attitude can enter the equation. T.O. has a history of burning bridges, especially with the best teams he has ever played with (49ers, Eagles, Cowboys). As for now, he has been chosen as a nominee.

Bell's statement about Owens causes even greater concern for others who have controversy associated to their career.

Speaking of controversy, the most surprising choice for the nomination was Darren Sharper. The former All-Pro Safety plead guilty to sexual assault charges in California, Arizona, Nevada and Louisiana earlier this year making him a serial rapist. He could spend more time behind bars than he did on the field.

O.J. Simpson is still in the Hall of Fame since his enshrinement in 1985, but he did what he did after the fact. Not making excuses, but it is different compared to someone who has a criminal record without a place in Canton.

Darren Sharper is the biggest head scratcher of them all because it is hard to imagine the voting committee giving him the required 80% voting approval needed for induction.

Other nominees include:
Clinton Portis
Brian Westbrook
Lawyer Milloy
Keith Bullock
Mike Vrabel
Alan Faneca
John Carney
Ethan Albright

Here are other names that could be a challenge to this upcoming HOF Class:
Kurt Warner
Marvin Harrison
Orlando Pace
Kevin Greene
John Lynch
Morten Anderson
Don Coryell
Tony Dungy
Jimmy Johnson

This group of Warner & co would be a serious threat to this class. Favre will still be a shoe in while Owens is holding on by a thread with Marvin Harrison on his trails. I see Kevin Greene still making a strong case to finally get the voting approval he deserves. John Lynch would be a safer choice than Sharper. The HOF still needs a Coach to round out the Class. Names like Tony Dungy, Jimmy Johnson, and Don Coryell come to mind.

Congratulations to the nominees thus far, as my predictions are coming together even more.

Week 1 Review (Brady Returns, Comeback Cowboys, Super Mariota )

This NFL Season got off to a unique start. Tom Brady came out of the gate firing away at all cylinders as he completed 25 of 32 passes for 288 yards and 4 Touchdowns while torching the Steelers Defense in a 28-21 victory at home in New England.

Brady clearly had a chip on his shoulder with plenty to prove coming off the heels of the recent Deflategate scandal that further tarnished his image among fans. Pittsburgh put up a battle on the Offensive side, but the score does not tell the full story of the game.

The Steel Curtain looked like the Shower Curtain when Tom was finished with them. Ben Roethlisberger went 26-38 for 351 yards and 1 Touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins start the season with a new Starting Quarterback: Kirk Cousins. After a rocky run with RG III as the QB, the Redskins have changed the guard with Cousins.

However, the results were not very different as Washington lost the Home Opener to the Miami Dolphins 17-10. Cousins went 21-31 for 196 yards and 2 Interceptions.

The Offensive Line was horrible. That goes to show that they are just as responsible for the past failures as Bob Griffin III (RG III). The Skins had a 10-0 lead in the second quarter but allowed 17 unanswered points from that point moving forward.

Miami is not a special team either. Ryan Tannehill is not even close to the Echelon of Russell Wilson, or Andrew Luck let alone Aaron Rodgers but the Skins Defense made him look like a much more valuable QB.

In this game, Tannehill went 22-34 for 226 yards. Redskins WR Desean Jackson was out for most of the game after tearing his left hamstring.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills pulled a major upset over AFC Powerhouse the Indianapolis Colts 27-14. Rex Ryan went from being the Cartoon Character Coach for the New York Jets to a nearly defensive genius in this game. It looks like the joke was on everybody else.

Ryan's Defense crashed down on Andrew Luck. Andrew went 26-49 for 243 yards, 2 TD's and 2 INT's. It was not his finest hour.

On the other hand, Bills QB Tyrod Taylor orchestrated three touchdown drives as he went 14-19 for 195 yards and 1 TD.  The highlight for Taylor was his 51-yard Touchdown pass to WR Percy Harvin.

The Colts were limited to 148 yards of Offense and nine first downs on its first five drives before they scored two Touchdowns in the final 16 minutes. Things were not clicking for Indy.

 Another upset came when the St. Louis Rams defeated back to back NFC Champions the Seattle Seahawks 34-31 in OT. The Rams overcame Seattle's 18-point 4th Quarter rally for the win. Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson took a pounding as he was sacked six times in this game. He still managed to go 32-41 for 251 yards and 1 TD.

Down 31-24, St. Louis tied the game after Seahawks defensive back Dion Bailey stumbled on Lance Kendricks 37-yard touchdown catch. The Seahawks are also having problems in-house, because of Kam Chancellor's contract situation.

Meanwhile, Titans QB Marcus Mariota displayed signs of brilliance in an outstanding performance as the Tennessee Titans rout the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 42-14 (Routed and Scouted). Mariota went 13-16 for 209 yards and 4 Touchdowns as he outplayed 1st Overall Pick Jameis Winston.

Mariota and Winston have been linked together because of their history together in College. Jameis Winston was the 2013 Heisman Trophy Winner while Marcus Mariota won the Award in 2014.

This game was nearly a mirror image of the Rose Bowl when Mariota's Oregon Ducks wiped out Winston's Florida State Seminoles 59-20. History practically repeated itself eight months later.

The Sunday Night Season Opener took place at Cowboys Stadium as the Dallas Cowboys hosted the New York Giants. Cowboys vs Giants games have always been interesting to say the least and this was no different.

Neither team was at their best. Odell Beckham Jr. was not setting the defense on fire with his playmaking. Instead, he was silent during this game.

The Giants had the lead on Dallas for much of the first half going into the second. However, their poor decision making came back to bite them.

On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys were shooting themselves in the foot with dropped passes, fumbles, etc.

Franchise WR Dez Bryant left the game following after breaking a bone in his foot. Bryant underwent successful surgery and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Meanwhile, The Cowboys overcame three turnovers that led to easy points for the Giants as Tony Romo threw an 11-yard touchdown to Jason Witten with 11 seconds left in the game. Dallas drove 72 yards with just 1:27 on their way to the game-winning score. Romo went 36-45 for 356 yards and 3 Touchdowns. The Cowboys overcame their own obstacles while rallying their comeback drive.

Eli Manning went 20-36 for 193 yards and 0 Touchdowns. The Cowboys are 8-0 vs. The Giants in Season Openers.

As for Monday Night Football, the Night started with the Atlanta Falcons hosting the Philadelphia Eagles. After making waves in the offseason by signing Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray along with other moves, the Eagles looked very dominant during pre-season.

When the Season started, Philly looked like a totally different team. It looked like a tale of two teams once the season went underway. DeMarco Murray learned the hard way how the Cowboys Offensive line made such a difference for him in his success last season.

Coach Chip Kelly's up-tempo Oregon like Offense fizzled in that first half against the Falcons. QB Sam Bradford rallied the Eagles in the second half, but in the end nothing else really mattered.

Falcons WR Julio Jones was virtually unstoppable during this game, especially the first half. The Defense clamped down for a moment in the second half, but they could not fully slow him down. During the game, Jones had 9 receptions for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns.

In the second Monday Night Game, the San Francisco 49ers hosted the Minnesota Vikings at Levi Stadium. The Star of that game was Running Back Carlos Hyde, who recorded 26 Carries for 168 Yards and 2 Touchdowns. Colin Kaepernick went 17-26 as he added 165 passing yards as he played a fairly safe game.

The Niners unveiled new Black & Red Alternate Uniforms. They would look better if the helmets were the same color. Enough with the fashion talk, back to the game.

Adrian Peterson returned to the field after a year-long suspension from a child abuse case along with paid leave. He was clearly rusty in this game with 10 carries for only 31 yards. Bad news for Fantasy Football Owners that have him on their team.

As if that wasn't bad enough. The sloppy first half included Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater running into his own teammate for a 10-yard sack. Things were just downright awful for Minnesota.

San Francisco put the clamps on Minnesota in a 20-3 win in the Home Opener.

Moses Malone:1955-2015

Over the weekend, the Sports World lost one of the Basketball legends Mr. Moses Malone. He was only 60 years old. I caught the news of his passing through Social Media during a Sunday Night Football Game. When I checked Instagram, I was devastated. Just six months ago, I wrote a tribute article for Moses when he turned 60. It was a great presentation of his Career wrapped into one package. Now, I find myself writing about his passing. Even the local News Station broke the story about his death.

He was the ultimate blue-collar player that used nothing but pure work ethic and physicality to get the job done. Moses was the greatest rebounder of the post Chamberlain-Russell Era. One could make a counterargument for Dennis Rodman, but in the end I don't see it standing for long. Same with Malone's protege Charles Barkley.

Moses was very reserved and not very outspoken. He mumbled when he spoke, but his game spoke loudly when he was on the court.

Malone's brilliance as a rebounder was simple, he just went to the rack. Although he was not always the quickest, Moses kicked things in another gear once the ball bounced off the glass. When that happened, his natural instincts kicked in to grab the board. Moses was the definition of a "glass eater". He earned the nickname "Chairman of the Boards" because he commanded the paint.

Moses Malone was a pioneer for future High School players who became stars in the Pros when he jumped from Petersburg HS to the ABA in 1974.The blue-chip recruit from Petersburg had originally sent a letter of intent to join the University of Maryland under coach Lefty Driesell. However, his circumstances said otherwise. The paychecks were screaming louder than the classrooms and textbooks. As a rookie, his body looked nothing like the imposing rebounding machine that he eventually became. His rawness was only temporary, but soon he would develop a drop step along with his own fade away that were autodidactic (self-taught). Malone would join Julius Erving, George Gervin, and others in the NBA following the closure of the ABA in 1976. Dr. J and Iceman were the flashier names, but Moses made a huge impact of his own in a quiet way.

"The young Moses Malone had virtually no offensive moves other than a devastating ability to get the ball off the glass," former Utah Stars coach Tom Nissalke says in the ABA oral history Loose Balls. "He was so lightning-quick and just seemed to know where a rebound was going. I saw a playoff game in his rookie season where he had 38 rebounds, 23 of them off the offensive glass." Many other people including Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown have considered Moses Malone to be the greatest offensive rebounder of all-time. Statistically, it is hard to argue because he is the all-time leader.

Malone was a standout star with the Houston Rockets. By the end of the 70's into the 80's, Moses took Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's place as the best Center on the planet. His three MVP Awards in five years speak for themselves. At that time, he pretty much had Kareem's number and that is hard for anyone else to say.

Moses carried a 40-42 Rockets team to the Finals. He claimed that his team could beat Boston with anybody from the playground of Petersburg. The Celtics won, but he put up the best fight that he could with that team. As we know in 1982, Malone was traded to the 76ers as Philadelphia gave up players like Darryl Dawkins, Caldwell Jones, and some draft picks. Moses essentially gift-wrapped an NBA Championship for Julius Erving in 1983. They were a great combination. Moses was quiet and straightforward while Dr. J was stylish and full of flair.

In an odd coincidence, Darryl Dawkins passed away three weeks ago at the age of 58. Both men share similarities as they were the first to come from High School to the Pros (Dawkins in 1975). They both reached their peak with the 76ers. Both played with Dr. J. However, that is where the similarities end.

Dawkins was a player that has become known as a spectacular sideshow that broke backboards but was never as accomplished. Meanwhile, Malone became one of the unsung warriors of the game with a first-ballot Hall of Fame Career. You could match his career with that of Dr. J himself, and you could find yourself being torn between the two. In the ultimate form of irony, the Sixers got rid of Chocolate Thunder to bring Moses in for them to reach the Promise Land. Both men have their share of connections.

Moses played for an NBA Record 21 Seasons (tied with Robert Parish). He was a workhorse until the very end. In 1996, Moses was honored as one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players and continues to be ranked as such by fans across the basketball world. In 2001, Malone was inducted into the Basketball HOF by long-time friend, fellow ABA alum and Championship teammate Julius Erving.

Malone played a style that left an impact on the game like no other player ever.

Rest In Peace Mr. Fo' Fo' Fo'.

All-Time NFL Team

Now, this is the moment that I have been waiting for. After years of brainstorming, doing research and personal observation, I believe that it is time for me to construct my All-Time NFL Team. Recently, I purchased a Book by Sports Illustrated titled "Football's Greatest". The Book is full of Top 10 lists for every position along with lists for the Greatest Rivalries, Arenas, Coaches, etc. I have been formulating this idea for a very long time and I hope that you enjoy.


Offense:

Quarterback: Joe Montana

If you are going to have an All-Time NFL Team, who would be a better choice as your QB than Joe Montana? Joe was the ultimate field general who kept his composure during the toughest times. His release and timing were precise, and he was a solid scrambler. Joe was the perfect Quarterback for the West Coast Offense because he had enough arm strength and accuracy to made the necessary passes that stretched the Defense. Montana did not throw bombs like Brett Favre or John Elway, but he made up for that with his Football IQ and flair for the dramatic in clutch situations. Look at how he marched San Francisco down the field for the 11 play, 92 yard Drive to clinch Super Bowl XXIII. Joe's resume is enough to make his case as the Ultimate Quarterback for the Ultimate Team. 4x Super Bowl Champion, 3x Super Bowl MVP with multiple comeback victories. Montana's QB Rating in the Super Bowl is 127.8, as he has thrown for 1,142 yards, 11 Touchdowns, 0 INT's and a Completion Percentage of 68%. He could also lead his team to victory through sheer Offensive Dominance. Just watch what he did to the Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX and the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV. For his career, Montana threw for 40,551 yards, 273 Touchdowns and finished with a QB Rating of 92.3.

Running Back: Walter Payton

If there is anybody that I am going to enlist as my Starting Running Back, it is "Sweetness". Walter Payton was a wealth of Versatility. He could run, catch and even throw. Payton was a combination of quickness and strength. For a man his size, Walter played a very physical style. Payton always played by the motto "Never Die Easy", and he never did. Walter spoke and carried himself like a Gentleman, but played like a Wolverine. Defenders had to force him out of bounds. He had a very fluid running style. The greatest testament to Walter's legacy is his toughness. On November 20, 1977, Payton set a single-game record for rushing yards as he torched the Vikings for 275 yards. In that game, he had the flu with a fever of 101 degrees with a serious case of the flu. Payton was named NFL MVP that season as well. Walter's work ethic and conditioning are what made him among the very best. He even has a Man of the Year Award named after him. Payton retired at the top of the NFL Rushing Mountain with 16,726 Rushing Yards before Emmitt Smith took the torch years later.

Full Back: Jim Brown

Jim Brown was the quintessential image of a Football Player. Brown is forever synonymous with what it means to be a Gridiron Warrior. Jim was perfectly sculpted to be the ideal Football Star. Brown was originally listed as a Fullback, but he would make a dominating combination with a player like Walter Payton in the backfield. Jim was a ferocious runner, but would be a great blocker as well. Jim Brown was one of the greatest gladiators to ever wear an NFL Uniform. Brown averaged 100 Yards Per Game over the course of a nine-year career. He made the Pro-Bowl every season and led the NFL in Rushing every season. Brown also won three NFL AP MVP Awards. Through 9 Seasons, Jim Brown finished with 12,312 Rushing Yards. With a resume like his, you could see why he is ranked number 1 on many people's lists.

Wide Receiver: Jerry Rice

If you are going to build a Fantasy Football Team with Legends, Jerry Rice MUST be your Wide Receiver. By default, Jerry is the GOAT of all Wide Receivers. His numbers and resume far supersede every other player to ever play that position. Rice raised the standard for his position in a way that no other player did for theirs. It was not enough to give him single coverage. You needed double coverage or maybe triple. Jerry was very cerebral and fundamental in his approach to the game. His work ethic and longevity put him far above the rest of the competition. He may have had two HOF Quarterbacks, but he made them look better as well. Rice was a threat no matter what route he ran. He holds every major receiving record. Jerry was named to the NFL All-Decade Teams for both the 80's and 90's. In the playoffs, Jerry caught 151 passes, 2,245 receiving yards, and 22 Touchdowns. Rice is a must for any Fantasy Team. He is on the Mt. Rushmore and Mt. Olympus of Pro Football. NFL.com named him the No. 1 Player of all-time.

Wide Receiver: Randy Moss

Randy Moss was simply electrifying. He had freakish speed and athleticism that was hard to match up with for any Cornerback. Moss would burn his defender in a matter of seconds. Randy Moss has to be the best pure athlete to play Wide Receiver. His numbers and his game speak for themselves no matter how much he himself spoke. Along with Jerry Rice, Randy Moss changed the game for Wideouts of the Modern NFL. Randy has 982 Career Receptions to go with 15,292 Receiving Yards and 156 Touchdowns. He ranks fourth in Receiving Yardage and second in TD's behind Jerry Rice. Moss is the all-time leader in Touchdowns per season with 11.8.

Tight End: Tony Gonzalez
This is another deep position like Wide Receiver, but Tony Gonzalez was the standout for me. He is one of the Golden Standards for Tight Ends across the board. When it comes to Tight Ends, you could consider Gonzalez the Jerry Rice of his position. Tony holds nearly every major record including most receptions (1,325), receiving yards (15,127), along with touchdowns (111). He also holds the record for most 1,000-yard seasons for a Tight End (4), as well as most receptions in a single season (102). Gonzalez also holds the record for most Pro-Bowl selections for a Tight End with 14. When Tony Gonzalez is nominated for the Hall of Fame, there is no doubt that he is bound to be first-ballot.

Offensive Tackle: Anthony Munoz
The Greatest Offensive Lineman in NFL History by a very large consensus. Anthony Munoz was legendary at the front line, as he made 11 Pro-Bowls. Out of those 11 Pro-Bowl Selections, Munoz was named First-Team All-Pro 9 times. He also won the Offensive Lineman of the Year Award three times (1981, '87, '88). Anthony was the anchor of the Bengals Offense, as he helped them reach their only Super Bowl appearances (XVI, XXIII). Both of those games were narrow losses to the San Francisco 49ers. I guess it is the most classic form of irony that Munoz covers the Offensive Line for a team with two Niners (Montana and Rice). Side note: the guy must be pretty tough to play with a mangled pinky finger.

Offensive Tackle: Rayfield Wright
Did you think that I would not add any Cowboys flavor to this list? If so, you have to be sadly mistaken. Rayfield Wright was one of the anchors for the Cowboys front line during the 70's. Wright was the one doing the dirty work and holding the offense together while Roger Staubach received the lion's share of the praise. Rayfield's presence at the front line is essential for any team to run effectively.

Offensive Guard: Gene Upshaw
Long before he became known as the Chief of the NFL Players Union, Gene Upshaw was one of the greatest and most respected Offensive Linemen in NFL History. Gene was the anchor and backbone of the Raiders Offense during the 1970's. Upshaw was an outstanding Offensive Guard as he battled some of the greatest Defensive Linemen of his time. He even overwhelmed HOF D-Lineman Alan Page when the Raiders defeated the Vikings in Super Bowl XI. Gene battled Mean Joe Greene during the wars with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gene Upshaw has been battle tested as he has been a two-time Super Bowl Champion, Six-Time Pro-Bowler, and has been named to the NFL 75th Anniversary Team and 70's All-Decade Team.

Offensive Guard: Larry Allen
The Greatest Offensive Guard in Cowboys History. Larry Allen was one of the premiere O-Linemen of his Generation. Allen was a model of consistency through the various changes of the Dallas lineup. Larry's physicality is something much needed for the lineup that I desire to create.

Center: Mike Webster
"Iron" Mike Webster was the Center for the Pittsburgh Steelers Dynasty in the 70's. He was part of the Offensive Line that kept the Steelers Offense on their feet to march to greatness. Terry Bradshaw owes much of his success to Webster for being great at hiking the ball. Webster had one of the longest tenures in team history with 15 Seasons in Steel Town. He was part of 4 Super Bowls and 9 Pro-Bowls while making the 75th Anniversary Team, 70's All-Decade Team and 80's All-Decade Team.

Defense:

Defensive End: Reggie White
In order to build the Ultimate Defense, the Minister of Defense must be at the Front Line. Reggie White was a force to be reckoned with. Even though Reggie preached about grace and mercy, he brought chaos to the opposing Offense. White has to be one of the best front seven players of all-time with the way that he was able to shed the blockers without much difficulty. After an outstanding career in College, Reggie had a brief stint in the USFL before it closed. Once White joined the NFL, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and became the unquestioned leader of that Defense. He enjoyed back to back seasons as the NFL Sack Leader (1987, 1988). In the strike shortened 1987 Season, Reggie set an Eagles record for most sacks in a single season with 21. After eight outstanding seasons with Philly, White brought the Sack to the Pack when he joined the Green Bay Packers in 1993. Reggie's experience and leadership helped lead the Packers in winning Super Bowl XXXI along with Brett Favre's MVP Season. Reggie White finished his career as the All-Time Leader in Sacks with 198. Reggie averaged 13.2 Sacks Per Season, which is an NFL Record. White also made 13 Pro-Bowl Teams with 10 First-Team All-Pro Selections and 3 Second-Team Selections. Reggie was in the Pro-Bowl for every season except his first and his last. He made the 75th Anniversary Team, along with the 80's and 90's All-Decade Teams. Following his death, Reggie White was inducted into the Pro Football HOF in 2006. Bruce Smith may have broken the record, but Reggie will always be regarded as the Greatest Defensive End of All-Time.

Defensive End: Deacon Jones
Long before Reggie White, Deacon Jones was the Most Dominant Defensive Lineman of his Era.
Jones was ruthless in his pursuit of the Quarterback, as he was a master of blitzes. Even though Sacks were not recorded during his time in the NFL, Deacon Jones has been listed as having 173.5 to 179.5 unofficial Sacks, as he is also known for coining the term "Sack". Jones was an 8-time Pro-Bowler and 5-time First-Team All-Pro Selection. He registered yearly sacks of 22 ('64), 26 ('67) and 24 ('68). No other player has had that many seasons with 20 or more Sacks.

Defensive Tackle: "Mean" Joe Greene
There is no doubt that "Mean" Joe Greene was the leader of the Steel Curtain Defense. He was the first player that the Steelers drafted when they started to build their dynasty. Greene was the general and cornerstone of one of the greatest Defense in NFL History. Greene's impact led to four Super Bowl Trophies in the 1970's. He was a mix of intensity, strength, and quickness. His accolades speak for themselves. Joe was a 10x Pro-Bowl Selection, along with 5 First-Team All-Pro Selections. Greene was named to the 75th Anniversary Team, 70's All-Decade Team, the Pittsburgh Steelers 50th Anniversary Team, and the Steelers All-Time Team. Greene was also named Defensive Player of the Year twice ('72, '74). He has the most Outstanding Resume of any Steelers Defensive Player ever. You could call Mean Joe "Mr. Steeler".

Defensive Tackle: Bob Lilly
The Ultimate Irony of this team is that I have the best Defensive Lineman in Cowboys History lined up next to the best Defensive Lineman in Steelers History. Here we have "Mr. Steeler" lined up with "Mr. Cowboy", as both men were the first draft picks to build winning teams. Nothing else needs to be said about Mr. Lilly. His dominance transcended beyond what he did for the Cowboys. Bob Lilly's dominance translated into greatness all across the NFL.

Outside Linebacker: Lawrence Taylor
Without question the Greatest Outside Linebacker of all-time. By many, he is considered the Greatest Defensive Player ever. Lawrence Taylor was a tremendous defender who created fear in the Offense that stood opposite of him. LT was the cornerstone of the Giants Defense that won two Super Bowls under Bill Parcells. Lawrence revolutionized the Defensive side, because of how quickly he was able to get to the Quarterback or Running Back. Offenses were forced to create a two Tight-End system because of Taylor. However, that did not stop him or slow him down when it came to his mission which was to seek and destroy. LT was a true Terminator on Defense. He is only the second Defensive Player to win NFL MVP. Taylor has been a 10x Pro-Bowler and 10x All-Pro with 3 DPOY Awards among many other accomplishments. LT is the quintessential linebacker that other players model themselves after.

Outside Linebacker: Jack Ham
This is the third Steeler added to this team. Jack Ham was one of the best playmakers for Pittsburgh's monstrous Defense during their glory days. He was the perfect complement to Jack Lambert and Andy Russell. Along with those 4 Super Bowls, Ham was named to the Pro-Bowl 8 times and a First-Team All-Pro 6 times. He also holds the NFL Record for most Career Forced Fumbles by a Linebacker with 53.

Middle Linebacker: Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus was a frightening figure at Middle Linebacker. He had the speed to tackle from sideline to sideline with the tackling strength of a defensive lineman. Butkus personified Gridiron Toughness. Dick Butkus made the Pro-Bowl each of his first eight seasons with five First-Team All-Pro Selections. He was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary Team, along with the 60's and 70's All-Decade Teams. Considered by many to still be the greatest to play Middle Linebacker. His teammate also makes a very strong case.

Middle Linebacker: Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis was a True Warrior in Football. Ray was an absolute beast and gave more than 100% on every play. His athleticism at MLB was explosive and fun to watch in his prime. Lewis raised the bar for what a Linebacker should be, as he is the most accomplished of his generation. Ray is also one of the most accomplished players across the history of the NFL. As a two-time Super Bowl Champion, Ray was named Super Bowl MVP in SB XXXV as the Ravens wiped out the Giants 34-7. He has also been to 13 Pro-Bowls (most for a Middle Linebacker), a 7-time First-Team All-Pro, 3-time Second-Team All-Pro, 2-time NFL DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year), along with a spot on the NFL 2000's All-Decade Team. Lewis is tied with Lawrence Taylor for most All-Pro Selections. Ray finished his career with 1,336 Tackles, 41.5 Sacks, 67 Pass Deflections and 17 Forced Fumbles. Ray Lewis is without question a First-Ballot Hall of Famer.

Strong Safety: Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott defined the meaning of "Strong Safety". He was the most intimidating player on those Niners teams that won four Super Bowls in the 80's. Ronnie came with the force and intensity of a linebacker with brilliant coverage skills. Lott could inflict damage as a Safety and as a Cornerback since he played both positions during his career. He was the deciding factor Defensively for San Francisco as Montana and Rice were the deciding factors Offensively. Lott made the Pro-Bowl 10 times, First-Team All-Pro 8 times, the 75th Anniversary Team, as well as the 80's and 90's All-Decade Teams. He was the cornerstone and face of the Niners Defense. Ronnie Lott finished his Career with 1,146 Tackles, 63 Interceptions, 16 Forced Fumbles and 5 Touchdowns from INT's. That is true dedication anytime you can still play at a high level with an amputated finger.

Free Safety: Ed Reed
Ed Reed is the definition of a "ballhawk" because of how he is able to lock his eyes on the football while still covering his assignment. His instincts have been amazing which have also helped him be a very effective cover safety, play the run along with being a devastating hitter. In only his third season, Ed Reed was named NFL DPOY (2004). That season, Reed became the Interception Leader for the first of three seasons ('04, '08, 2010). He also led the NFL in INT Return Yards ('04, 2010). Ed's phenomenal speed helped him become the NFL All-Time Leader in Interception Return Yards (1,590). Ed Reed has carved a legacy of greatness for us to witness. A legend in the making and future Hall of Famer.

Cornerback: Deion Sanders
The greatest multi-threat that the NFL has ever seen. "Prime Time" Deion Sanders has to be the most decorated Cornerback besides Ronnie Lott. Deion's speed made him exceptional in any form of coverage (4.27 in the 40-yard dash). Prime Time's versatility made him a threat in other areas of the field, from special teams to even on offense as a wide receiver. Deion may smile and joke, but he was a thinking man's player when it came time for business. After playing five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Deion signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994. Even though the Niners were a well-decorated team rooted in tradition, Sanders added even more importance to their already strong Defense. Prime Time won the NFL DPOY Award that season as the Niners won their 5th Super Bowl. Deion was only in San Fran for one season, but he made a huge impact. When his time with the Niners ended, Deion signed with the Dallas Cowboys as he became the highest paid defensive player at that time. Just like with the 49ers, Deion joined a team that has already proven themselves as Champions. Sanders helped to elevate the Cowboys Defense for them to win Super Bowl XXX. Deion became an 8-time Pro-Bowler and an 8-time All-Pro Selection. Sanders finished his career with 53 Interceptions, as he joined the NFL 90's All-Decade Team along with a place in the Hall of Fame. Deion made a major impact on the NFL as a brilliant coverage defender.

Cornerback: Dick "Night Train" Lane
This is not a name that most modern fans may not know, but Dick "Night Train" Lane is one of the greatest players ever regardless of position. Night Train was to Football what Sugar Ray Robinson was to Boxing. He was an innovator and trailblazer before his sport reached a larger mainstream audience. In his first season, Lane recorded 14 Interceptions (NFL Record for most in a Single Season). For his career, Night Train had 68 Interceptions with 1,207 INT return yards. Lane was the original ballhawk and left a huge impact on the game with his great cover skills. He made 7 Pro-Bowls, and 10 All-Pro Teams (6 1st-Team, 4 2nd-Team). Lane was the highest-ranked Defensive Back on the Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Football Players (19).

Kicker: Adam Vinatieri
There has never been a better big-game Kicker than Adam Vinatieri. Adam was the one that the Patriots depended on to help them win their first three Super Bowls because of his Game-Winning Field Goals. Vinatieri would also help the Colts win in Super Bowl XLI. He holds the record for most postseason FG's (42), most FG's in a Super Bowl (7), most career points (187) among others. Adam is the ideal Kicker anyone would want on their team.

Teflon Tom Rides Again

Recently, Tom Brady was acquitted of charges related to his involvement in the "Deflategate" scandal. Originally, Tom was suspended for the first four games of the NFL Season because he had knowledge of the Patriots deflating footballs to gain an edge on their opponents.

The allegations surfaced after it was discovered that the Patriots deflated 11 out of 12 footballs during their 45-7 demolition of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game.

Tom was heavily scrutinized by reporters, players, and former players for supposedly "not knowing" about the footballs being deflated. The Patriots already have a black eye on their legacy for the "Spygate" controversy.

Now, they have another controversy tied to their name with the deflated footballs. From that point moving forward, New England became the center of many jokes about things being deflated.

Brady's legacy has been criticized by many people because of these issues. Tom managed to dodge a bullet with "Spygate". This time, he has dodged a silver bullet that you could say was more severe than "Spygate".

A few weeks ago, a sketch artist drew a court sketch of Tom Brady that went viral across Social Media. During that first court meeting, he once again became the brunt of many jokes.

However, Tom's fortunes have changed after Commissioner Roger Goodell lifted his Suspension after a Judge ruled in his favor. The Judge said that Goodell was too harsh in his punishment of the Super Bowl Champion QB.

I guess the Judge must be a fan of his, but that's none of my business. Brady would have been suspended for being a "cheater". Now that his suspension has been dropped, this adds to the mystique of "Teflon Tom". Brady has officially been acquitted of cheating.

The biggest concern involving Brady not being penalized is the fact that it could encourage others to cheat. This could teach kids in school that it is fine to willingly cheat because you could be excused for it. They could think "If Tom Brady got away with cheating, so can I".

The NFL has been plagued with a legion of scandals. From Ray Rice to Adrian Peterson, the Shield has been hit many times. However, Tom Brady is able to skate away from trouble. I guess Brady the money making machine is above being sidelined for the first quarter of the Season.

After all, Brady is considered "America's Quarterback" since he plays for a team called the Patriots.

Commissioner Goodell did his best to serve justice without any form of favoritism. You might as well call Tom Brady the Al Capone of the NFL because he is truly "Untouchable".

Tom Brady is without question a future First-Ballot Hall of Famer. He has accomplished enough to reach Legend Status in his Sport. However, the perception of his legacy has been skewed.

This just goes to show that certain players have been put on a pedestal to be above reproach. It looks like Brady is one of them.

Brightest Stars in Cowboys History



As many of you know, I am a proud fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Not to sound cliche, but it is what it is. As a fan, I observe both the present as well as the past. I must say, that collectively we have a rich legacy. In spite of the recent shortcomings, I am still faithful to my franchise. A true fan is someone who sticks with their team and is honest about them whether good or bad. Anyone who stopped supporting Dallas after Tom Landry left, to me is not a real Cowboys fan. (My Dad is one of them) That bothers me because that shows that you were a fan for that one reason. Things do not last forever, including a legendary 29-year reign. Landry's run was very historic, as the Cowboys were the toast of the NFC during the 70's which was their first prominent period in the history of the organization. Under Coach Landry's administration, the Cowboys won 2 Super Bowls, 5 NFC Championships, and numerous Division Titles. Once Landry's tenure ended, another Era was on the way as Jerry Jones hired his college roommate Jimmy Johnson as the New Head Coach. Under Johnson's reign, Dallas went from being 1-15 in 1989 to Super Bowl Champions at 13-3 in 1992. That is one of the quickest turnarounds for a franchise in NFL History. Dallas went from being a doormat to a Dynasty during Johnson's five seasons as they won back to back SuperBowls. 

Disclaimer: This list was VERY hard to construct. There have been many great names who can make a case for the Top 10. Top 50 would have been much harder. I hope you enjoy. 

Now, I would like to Countdown the Greatest Cowboys of All-Time in my view. 

1. Emmitt Smith

Seasons: 15 (13 in Dallas)

Carries: 4,409 (4,052 with Cowboys)

Rushing Yards: 18,355 (17,162 with Cowboys/Franchise Record)

Touchdowns: 175 (164 with Cowboys/Franchise Record)

1990 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

1993 NFL AP MVP

1993 Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year)

Super Bowl Champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)

Super Bowl XXVIII MVP

Pro Bowl Selections: 8

All-Pro Selections: 6

4x NFL Rushing Champion ('91, '92, '93, '95)

3x NFL Rushing Touchdown Leader ('92, '94, '95)

NFL 1990's All-Decade Team

Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor Inductee (2005)

Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2010)

Emmitt Smith was the engine for the Cowboys Dynasty in the 90's. His name is written across both the Dallas Cowboys Record Books and the NFL Record Books. Smith is one of the most Iconic players in Cowboys History. There is no denying the impact that Emmitt made and his significance to the legacy of Dallas. His longevity, consistency, and vision are what helped him make up for what he may have lacked in mind-blowing athleticism. Watching highlights of Emmitt Smith run in the Glory Days of Dallas is always a thrill for me as a Cowboys fan. It was almost like Poetry in Motion. Smith was one of the smoothest runners I have seen. He also carried the right intensity when faced with enough resistance. Emmitt is the only player in Cowboys History to win the NFL MVP Award in 1993. People may knock Smith for his Offensive Line, but he also knew how to fight for the necessary yardage. Smith's ability to see the holes was a great quality for him even when the Offensive Line broke down (which was rare). Smith personified a marathon running back as his longevity and conditioning helped him reach the NFL Rushing Mountain. For my choice, Emmitt Smith the symbol of Dallas when I think of the Cowboys. His body of work speaks for itself. It might seem controversial, but others will understand. In this case, Emmitt Smith is "Mr. Cowboy". 

2. Roger Staubach
Seasons: 11
Completions: 1,685
Attempts: 2,985
Percentage: 57%
Passing Yards: 22,700
Touchdowns: 153
Interceptions: 109
QB Rating: 83.4
2x Super Bowl Champion (VI, XII)
Super Bowl VI MVP
5x NFC Champion ('70, '71, '75, '77, '78)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 6
AP All-NFC Selections: 2
NFC Player of the Year (1971)
1971 Bert Bell MVP Award
NFL 1970's All-Decade Team
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor Inductee (1983)
Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1985)
NFL 75th Anniversary Team

"Captain Comeback", "Roger The Dodger". These are some of the titles that symbolize how great Roger Staubach was. Staubach was the Captain when it came to engineering a Comeback for the Cowboys when their back was against the wall. Roger was the gunslinger that the City of Dallas looked to in their time of trouble. When you were in a dangerous spot, you knew that Roger was the guy that would save the game. Roger was the prototype for the clean cut American Quarterback to be the face of "America's Team". Staubach was the Dodger because of how he was able to elude the Defensive Pass Rush that came his way. Roger was very elusive for his time as his scrambling ability and rocket arm made for a dangerous combination. Staubach was one of the pillars for the Cowboys initial success in the 70's. He took them from being bridesmaids in the 60's to World Champs the next decade. Roger put Dallas on the map for Super Bowl success. Staubach was one of the top tier QB's of his Era with Terry Bradshaw, Fran Tarkenton, and Ken Stabler to name a few. He won the Bert Bell MVP Award to go along with 5 NFC Titles and 2 Super Bowl Titles. To this day, Roger is still Dallas Royalty. Over time, I have learned to appreciate the importance and significance of Roger Staubach. Troy Aikman may have broken his records, but Roger will always be a symbol of excellence that cannot be ignored.

3. Bob Lilly

Seasons: 14

Pro-Bowls: 11

All-Pro Selections: 7 (All First-Team)

NFL 1960's All-Decade Team

First Player Drafted by Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor Inductee

Super Bowl Champion (VI)

Cowboys Ring of Honor (1975)

Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1980)

Bob Lilly was the Building Block on Defense the same way that Roger Staubach was the Building Block on Offense. Lilly is still called "Mr. Cowboy" because he was the first player that the team has ever drafted in 1961. In an Era with the likes of Deacon Jones and others, Bob Lilly was one of the best Pass Rushers of that time. His impact on the front seven was tremendous. Lilly was the Anchor for the Cowboys Defense before passing the torch to Randy White. In his 14 Seasons, Bob was part of the first Super Bowl Championship team (1971). He was also a member of 11 Pro-Bowl teams and made the All-Pro Team 7 times. Each of Bob's All-Pro selections was First-Team. Lilly joined the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1975, the year after his retirement. He was inducted into the NFL HOF in 1980. 

4. Troy Aikman
Seasons: 12
Completions: 2,898
Attempts: 4,715
Percentage: 61.5%
Passing Yards: 32,942
Touchdowns: 165
Interceptions: 141
QB Rating: 81.6
Super Bowl Champion (XXVII, XVIII, XXX)
Super Bowl MVP (XXVII)
3x NFC Champion ('92, '93, '95)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 6
Sporting News First-Team All-Pro (1993)
All-NFC Second Team (1994, 1995)
Walter Payton Man of the Year (1996)
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor Inductee (2005)
Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2006)

Troy Aikman was the general of the Cowboys Offense during the 90's in the Heyday of the Triplets. Aikman was the head, Emmitt was the Body, Irvin was the Heart. Together, they formed a lethal combination. After a rough rookie start at 0-15, Aikman turned things around. Dallas went from 1-15 to 13-3 in four seasons. The chemistry that Aikman had with receivers like Michael Irvin along with Tight End Jay Novacek was phenomenal. 1992 was Aikman's finest campaign. That season, he completed 302 out 473 passes for 3,445 yards and 23 Touchdowns for a 13-3 Cowboys Squad. Dallas won Super Bowl XXVII that season as they wiped out the Buffalo Bills 52-17. Aikman won Super Bowl MVP. At the time of his retirement, Troy held at least 40 different Cowboys records.

5. Randy White
Seasons: 14
Career Solo Tackles: 701
Career Combined Tackles: 1,104
Pro-Bowl Selections: 9
All-Pro Selections: 8
Super Bowl Champion (XII)
Co-Super Bowl MVP (XII)
3x NFC Champion ('75, '77, '78)
NFL Defensive Player of the Year: 1978
NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year: 1982
Cowboys Ring of Honor (1994)
Pro Football HOF (1994)

Half-Man, Half-Monster. When you put it together, you get the "Manster". Randy White was a terrorizer Defensively and the Anchor of the Cowboys "Doomsday Defense". White was a dangerous combination of Strength and Speed. He was DPOY as well as Lineman of the Year. Randy was one of the best Pass Rushers of his Era with the way that he shed blockers to take down opposing QB's. White was the Co-Super Bowl MVP with Harvey Martin at Super Bowl XII. Randy made 9 Pro-Bowls and 8 All-Pro Selections. At the time of his retirement, White was the Cowboys All-Time Leader in Career Solo Tackles and Combined Tackles. He went into the Cowboys Ring of Honor and Pro Football HOF in the same year of 1994.

6. Michael Irvin
Seasons: 12
Receptions: 750
Receiving Yards: 11,904
Touchdowns: 65
Pro-Bowls: 5
Super Bowl Champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
3x NFC Champion ('92, '93, '95)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 5
All-Pro Teams: 1
Cowboys All-Time Leader in Receiving Yards
Cowboys Ring of Honor (2005)
Pro-Football Hall of Fame (2007)

The Heart of the Triplets. In Dallas, Michael Irvin continues to reign as King of Wide Receivers. Drew Pearson was the first to be a Star with 88, but the Playmaker took that number to a completely different level. Irvin redefined the Wide Receiver position in Dallas and rewrote the team's record book for Receivers. Michael was one of the premiere Wide Outs of his Generation in a time where you had stars like Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Tim Brown and others while future stars like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens would follow. Michael was the perfect target for Troy to throw to, and their chemistry was among the best that the NFL had to offer. If Michael did not play in the same Offense as the All-Time Rushing Leader (Emmitt Smith), I believe that his numbers would be better. Smith was just the most valuable option. However, Irvin was a serious threat for whoever had to cover him because of his physicality. Michael had the mouth and attitude, but he backed up what he said. The Playmaker was the lead WR in 3 Cowboys Super Bowl Victories during their most dominant Era as a Franchise. At the time of his retirement, Michael Irvin was the Cowboys All-Time Leader in Receptions and Receiving Yards. Irvin joined his fellow Triplets in the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2005, as he finally made it into the Hall of Fame in 2007. 

7. Tony Dorsett
Seasons: 12 (11 in Dallas)
Carries:2,936
Rushing Yards: 12,739
Touchdowns: 92
NFL AP Offensive Rookie of the Year (1977)
Super Bowl Champion (XII)
2x NFC Champion ('77, '78)
Pro-Bowls: 4
First-Team All-Pro: (1981)
Cowboys Ring of Honor (1994)
Pro Football HOF (1994)

Tony Dorsett was like a Rocket when he ran from the line of Scrimmage. He still holds the record for longest run in a single game (99 Yards). Tony won back to back Championships in College and the Pros. In 1977, he won a National Championship with the University of Pittsburgh and won the Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys the next year. Dorsett has been to Four Pro-Bowls and been on 1 First-Team All-Pro Team. In an era with players like Walter Payton and Franco Harris, Dorsett carved his name as one of the premier Running Backs of his time. Tony was the face of the Cowboys during the 80's in the lean years following Roger Staubach's retirement. At the time of his retirement, Tony was the Cowboys All-Time Leading Rusher. Dorsett made the HOF and Ring of Honor in the same year (1994).

8. Mel Renfro
Seasons: 14
Interceptions: 52
Interception Yards: 626
Interception TD's: 3
Super Bowl Champion (VI, XII)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 10
All-Pro Teams: 5
Pro-Bowl Co-MVP (1970)
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor (1981)
Pro Football Hall of Fame (1996)

This man was the Premiere Cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys Doomsday Defense. Mel Renfro was a revolutionary defender in the backfield for the Cowboys Defense. What Bob Lilly was to the Front Line, Mel Renfro was to the Secondary. Renfro was a multi-threat as he also returned punts and kicks. Mel led the NFL in punt and kick return yardage, but Defensive Back is where he was able to shine the brightest. Renfro was incredibly fast for that time, as his 4.65 40 yard dash speed was a great asset for him during the defensive coverage. Mel is still the Cowboys All-Time Leader in INT's with 52. He has been a staple for the Cowboys throughout their run of greatness in the 70's. Renfro was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1981. 15 years later, he was inducted into the Pro Football HOF in 1996.

9. Darren Woodson
Seasons: 13
Cowboys All-Time Leader in Tackles: 1,350
Interceptions: 23
Super Bowl Champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
NFC Champion ('92, '93, '95)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 5
All-Pro Selections: 3
Bart Starr Man of the Year Award (2001)
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor (2015)

The model of loyalty and consistency. Toughness and Professionalism. Darren Woodson was a quiet assassin for the Cowboys Defense during his 13 years of service in Big D. Woodson was able to enjoy the success of the Cowboys Dynasty during the Triplets Era as he was a rookie during their first Super Bowl win. Darren put strength in the Strong Safety Position as he hit harder than someone his size. He was also very effective in coverage. Woodson was a very smart defender that was very easily shaken up. Along with three Super Bowl titles, he also has five Pro-Bowl Selections with three All-Pro Selections. As a testament to his consistency as a player, Darren Woodson is also the Dallas Cowboys All-Time Leader in Tackles (1,350). That is fascinating considering the many great legends to wear the Star like Randy White, DeMarcus Ware, and Lee Roy Jordan to name a few. Woodson was one of the unsung heroes on the Cowboys Defense as he did not receive the accolades that Offensive Studs like Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin did. In the end, he was a staple on Defense that had a great impact for the Cowboys.

10. Larry Allen
Seasons: 14 (12 with Dallas)
Games Played: 203
Games Started: 197
Super Bowl Champion (XXX)
NFC Champion (1995)
Pro-Bowl Selections: 11
All-Pro Selections: 7
NFL 1990's All-Decade Team
NFL 2000's All-Decade Team
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor
Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013)

Larry Allen was an absolute pillar for the Cowboys Offensive Line from the 90's going into the 2000's. He was selected as a member of the NFL All-Decade Teams for both of those decades. His blocking was absolutely outstanding as Emmitt Smith knows from experience. Larry held his own against the best Defensive Linemen the NFL had to offer during his career. From Reggie White to Michael Strahan, Larry was not fazed. His significance to the Offensive Line was instrumental for the overall success of the Cowboys Offense, which is enough to rank him among the all-time greats. Allen's blocking skills were enough for him to receive 11 Pro-Bowl Selections, 7 All-Pro Selections, and a Super Bowl victory. Larry's body of work was enough to make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2013.

Honorable Mentions: Lee Roy Jordan, Drew Pearson, Bob Hayes, DeMarcus Ware